Child Protection Policy

UAH is committed to maintaining a supportive, welcoming, and safe educational environment for children (individuals under the age of 18). In order to ensure the safety and well-being of children, UAH has adopted the Child Protection Policy and accompanying Guidebook.

UAH faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and representatives (as well as third-party vendors and their employees, representatives, or volunteers that contract for use of UAH facilities or resources) with responsibilities that involve interaction with children, must carefully review the Policy. Compliance with this Policy and the Guidebook is required as a condition of operating camps at UAH. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Policy or the requirements further outlined in the Guidebook can result in the loss of program privileges and other sanctions at UAH.

Activities or programs include but are not limited to: overnight camps, instructional programs, community service, laboratory interns, day camps, academic camps, and sports camps whether operated on or off-campus, or in a virtual setting.

The Child Protection Policy and accompanying Guidebook applies to:

• any event, operation, or endeavor operated, conducted, or organized by any unit/organization that is supported by or affiliated with the University or occurring on University property
• that includes individuals under the age of 18 or an individual under 21 years old who is incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability
• where parents/guardians are not expected to be responsible for care or custody of their children during the program or activity

Registration Requirements

Individuals or entities who are planning any program or activity involving children are required to register the program or activity by submitting the CPP Program Registration Form four weeks prior to the start date of the program.

An application submitted less than four weeks prior to the start of the requested activities or programs may not be approved. Activities or programs for or including children are not permitted without prior UAH approval.

When any individual other than the parent/legal guardian or public K-12 school teacher/coach have care and custody of the children, Staff Information Form is also required.

Documentation should be submitted via email to cpp@uah.edu.

Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse/Neglect

If you know or reasonably suspect that a child is a victim of child abuse or neglect, you must report. In deciding whether or not to report an incident or situation of suspected abuse or neglect, it is not required that you have proof that abuse or neglect has occurred. Any uncertainty in deciding to report suspect abuse or neglect should be resolved in favor of making a good faith report.

First, immediately report the information to: The University of Alabama in Huntsville Police Department at 256.824.6596 (or call 911). In addition to making an oral report, you must also complete a Child Abuse or Neglect Report Form. Do not directly question or solicit information from the child or from the person suspected of improper behavior. That is not your role; the role of investigation lies with University, city, county, and state officials. Any person who makes a good faith report of child abuse or neglect shall not be subjected to retaliation. Further, any person or entity that makes a good faith report of child abuse or neglect is immune under Alabama law from any liability-civil or criminal-that might otherwise be incurred or imposed.

Mandatory Training Instructions

Each person with care, custody or control of children must complete two online training modules on an annual basis:

• Protecting Children: Identifying and Reporting Sexual Misconduct
• Understanding the Clery Act

Training Instructions for UAH Faculty, Staff and Students

1. Login to access the Training Module. You'll be first taken to SSO login screen.
2. Scroll the "My Courses" bar to find each training course.

Contact cpp@uah.edu with any issues

Training Instructions for Third Parties

1. Login or create an account. If this is your first training you will be asked to register and create an account.
2. Scroll the "My Courses" bar to find each training course.

Contact cpp@uah.edu with any issues or if you need a password reset.

Waivers

UAH-Sponsored Programs should work with the Office of Counsel to draft a Release and Indemnity Agreement tailored to the program. The Agreement should be signed by the child's parent/legal guardian. UAH-Sponsored Programs may also use the UAH Child Protection Release and Indemnity Agreement.

Additional Requirements for Third Parties

Third-Party Activities and Programs must:

1. Establish a contractual relationship with the University for the use of facilities and/or resources,
2. Provide evidence of insurance coverage in accordance with the requirements outlined by UAH's Office of Risk Management (Insurance Requirements for Third Party Programs)
3. Be sponsored by or affiliated with a UAH department, college or recognized student organization and have a designated UAH Program Contact;
4. Operate under the administrative purview of a UAH department

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act

Compliance with the Clery Act requires colleges and universities that receive federal funding to disseminate a public annual security report (ASR) to employees and students every October 1st. This ASR must include statistics of campus crime for the preceding 3 calendar years, plus details about efforts taken to improve campus safety.